A massive hole has been created on the San Francisco 49ers. All-Pro wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk is out for the season after suffering a torn ACL and MCL against the Kansas City Chiefs. Filling that hole left by Aiyuk will be impossible for the 49ers to accomplish. However, they could shrink it by dabbling in the trade market. Rather than replacing Aiyuk through the aggregate, the 49ers could trade for a wide receiver. It is a market that has been moving lately and one that they should consider.
49ers Trade: Three Wide Receivers to Consider
Jakobi Meyers
From one desperate team to another. The Las Vegas Raiders would make for an excellent trade partner for the 49ers. The Raiders’ season is essentially over. Renowned wide receiver Davante Adams quit on them because he knew the Raiders were a sinking ship. Soon, the Raiders will recognize that themselves and be sellers closer to the trade deadline. The 49ers can utilize that firesale by inquiring about wide receiver Jakobi Meyers. He would fit incredibly well into the 49ers’ offense.
The best part of all is he is an interchangeable player. He can go outside or inside while giving them contested catching ability. Only Jauan Jennings gives them that at the position. It’s not a bad idea to add another one so that the 49ers aren’t reliant on a singular player. The issue with Meyers is the Raiders might be hesitant to trade with the 49ers. Raiders owner Mark Davis practically has the 49ers on a prohibited list of teams not to trade with. So, an inquiry could be an immediate dead end for the 49ers.
Courtland Sutton
Another wide receiver the 49ers could target is Denver Broncos Courtland Sutton. The 49ers reportedly inquired about Sutton back when it was unclear if they were going to trade or extend Aiyuk. A third-round pick was offered to the Broncos, but it wasn’t to their liking. The 49ers could try their luck again now that they are in a pinch. The Broncos are unlikely to make a real run at the playoffs despite their 4-3 record. Although, Broncos head coach Sean Payton most likely believes they can do it.
That will only drive up the price for Sutton. If the Broncos rejected a third-round pick before, it is surely going to happen again now that they are in a position of power. They have all of the leverage with the 49ers looking desperate. However, offering anything more than a third-round pick again is silly for the 49ers. Maybe there is a player of their own they can throw in for Sutton to sweeten the deal. Or, they could package a series of picks including ones beyond 2025. Sutton is the best receiver of the three for the 49ers to trade for but will come at a hefty cost.
Kendrick Bourne
Should none of the other two prove viable, the 49ers can inquire with the New England Patriots on a familiar face. That face is Kendrick Bourne. He was drafted by the 49ers and spent four seasons with them from 2017 to 2020. He tallied 137 catches for 1.769 yards and 11 touchdowns. Bourne won’t replace Aiyuk. They’re not similar players, but he can help the offense. Shanahan can dust off the old plays he would use for Bourne as if he never left. However, Bourne doesn’t sound too fond of leaving the Patriots for the 49ers.
“This is where I want to be. I see myself being a strong footprint for this change, and a foundation of where this place is going, because I helped the Niners in their foundation get to where they are,” Bourne told the Boston Herald on Thursday. “And I want to do it here. I just kind of ignore it, but I hear it, but this is where — I want to do it here, you know what I’m saying? I want to, because when it starts popping, it’s going to be popping, and so I want to be a part of it.”
It may be Bourne’s wish to remain, but it means nothing to the Patriots. Should the Patriots feel his worth means more in the form of a draft pick, they’ll pull the trigger. He’ll easily have no qualms about returning to the 49ers no matter how much he says he doesn’t. That’ll change once the trade becomes official should it be the case.
Main Photo: Gregory Fisher-Imagn Images
